WTIS-23 Chairman, Mr. Bernard Banda,
UN Secretary General's Envoy on Technology, Mr. Amandeep Gill,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
As the 2023 edition of the World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Symposium ends, I want to thank you all for taking the time to join us, for your commitment, and for your passion for meaningful statistics and measurement.
Together, we will make a difference. Through partnerships and cooperation let us make data the oil that lubricates the wheels on our drive to universal and meaningful connectivity.
Let me pause and thank the UN Secretary General's Envoy on Technology for his inspiring words. I want to re-affirm ITU's and the Telecommunication Development Bureau's unwavering support for the Global Compact and the UN processes that he coordinates.
Distinguished Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We do not need to over-emphasize the importance of data. Data is quintessential for informed, better decision making. It is the force that drives sustainable digital transformation.
With no doubt, WTIS-23 is a resounding success. We gathered around 300 participants, both in-person and online. Representing 90 countries, UN agencies, Sector Members, and other partners. Data and future work on data needs everyone. Thank you, once again for coming and contributing your intellect to the vision that we share – data and measurement for humanity, planet, and prosperity.
Words of gratitude go to our Chair, Mr Banda, for diligently leading us during these two days, for his commitment and passion. Thank you, my dear brother! Let us applaud him.
We are always conscious of balancing gender. I want to thank Ms Linah Ngumba, Chair of the Expert Group on ICT Household Indicators (EGH), for seeing through the term of Juan Daniel Oviedo of Colombia who could not continue. We thank you and look forward to your leadership.
I want to announce and invite you all to stand up and volunteer yourselves for the positions of vice-chairs of the Expert Group on Telecommunication/ICT Indicators (EGTI) and the Expert Group on ICT Household Indicators (EGH).
Ladies and gentlemen,
Let me thank my team, in particular the ICT Data and Analytics (IDA) Division their hard work and in their dedicated service to the Membership. Figures and data are exhausting and challenging – but they soldier on. Congratulations for organizing this event. You will agree with me that this was not just another meeting. The content and the topics had depth. Well done!
Behind them, there were many other ITU staff that supported this event, I thank them too.
Thank you to the logistics team, the technicians, the interpreters, and all those who have worked behind the scenes, both from CICG and ITU.
Before I conclude, let me also add that:
We just heard about the promises and perils of AI for statistics.
Holding WTIS just before the AI for Good Global Summit, which will take place here as from Thursday, is not a mere accident. We need new data sources!
I would like to invite you to attend the AI for Good Global Summit. It will feature humanoid social robots and specialized robots, being brought together for the first time under the same roof. The robots will showcase capabilities ranging from fighting fires and delivering aid, to providing healthcare and making farming sustainable. In short, we might have found the secret code to help us accelerate the achievement of the SDGs before 2030!
As a memento, please take a moment to watch this highlights video of this edition of WTIS.
Thank you.
